Fraternities/Sororities

[honeywolf7]

Was anyone a member of a fraternity or sorority in college? If so, which one? This was inspired by seeing a lot of recruitment posters for sororities/fraternities one the bulletin boards lately.

 

[marlasmom]

Recruitment posters????? Things have changed.

I was a member, but I strongly advise you not to consider it. A sorority requires a SERIOUS commitment of time and money. I would not think it advisable for someone in your situation. JMHO.

 

[wvjules]

I was a sorority gal. I don't recall ever seeing non-traditional students in a fraternity or sorority though. Are you considering joining one?

 

[Jenzebelle]

I am a sister of Sigma sigma Sigma. Although I am considered an alum since I transfered my Sophmore year and my chapter lost its charter.

sororities are a great way to meet people, but they require a great deal of time, effort, and money. Those sorority dues aren't cheap. And pretty much every sorority I know of requires that members attend at least 90% of all meetings and events.

 

[GEM]

Nope. The university I attended didn't have any. Even if they had, I wouldn't have joined. It's just not something that would have appealed to me. I didn't have the time!

 

[Steve H.]

Nope. My college wasn't big on Frats or Sororities, so we didn't have any "social" Frats (e.g. the big National Frats), just "service" Frats (which, IMO, were kind of lame).

 

[amid chaos]

Alpha gamma delta.

It is a time and financial commitment....please consider that.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I wasn't in a sorority, there was no way I could afford it being on student loans and grants and being self supporting. I did have lots of friends that were in sororities and fraternities though. Almost as good as being in one without spending the big money.

 

[caitycaity]

I'm a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, but I agree with the others, it is a HUGE time and financial committment.

marlasmom, i am confused as to what is wierd about recruitment posters. we used them (as did every sorority and fraternity) at my alma mater. i was pr chair for 3 years.

 

[Jenzebelle]

We used recruitment posters too, Caity.

That's how we advertised open and informal pledge weeks

 

[aprincessmom]

I was. We did have non-traditional sisters but it was hard for them to be active sisters and it made for some tense times at chapter meetings, especially when talking time commitments for fundraisers and other house business.

Greek life is a great way to meet people but, as everyone has mentioned, it takes a very big time and financial commitment. For example, when I joined (lo these many years ago), it was not uncommon for me to have 2-5 hours worth of chapter meetings to attend (when I wasn't in an office it was 2 hours weekly) weekly and weekly assigned time to perform community service (about 1-2 hours/week).

During rush time a 3 week block of time was required -- the actual rush parties (required attendance) which took about 8 hours per week and then the "hash/membership selection" meetings directly following which could go on for hours. I remember one that lasted from 10:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Again, required. And then there's rush practice...ugh!!!

We were also required to show up for a minimum percentage of parties as well -- I think it was 80% of scheduled parties with other fraternities/sororities.

Financially, there were dues which were paid at the beginning of each semester. There were additional costs -- formals, party costumes, and the like. Thank goodness for the "used formal dress" closet...I visited that many times

I lived in the house so I also had to pay room and board -- cheaper than dormitory living at the time but still quite expensive. All sisters were required to live in the house for 1 year as condition of their membership. It was nice there so I didn't mind that rule

If you go through rush, make sure you ask up front about the required time commitment. It can be a real killer if you have other responsibilities -- I can't imagine doing it if I had a family to care for.

Despite these requirements, it was a very valuable experience and one that I treasure to this day.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Delta Zeta........no dorms at my college, so I commuted and the expense ( a long time) ago wasn't that bad.......but the time committment was!

 

[marlasmom]

I was in college a loooong time before you "kids." I went to Northwestern which was a huge greek school. You registered for rush (with Pan-Hel I think) and there were formal rush parties. For the first two days you could go to whatever house you wanted and then for two or three days the parties were by invitation only. You (usually) received fewer invitations as the week went on. Then the sororities gave Pan-Hel a list of people they wanted to invite and the rushees submitted a list of their choices and they were matched up.

The parties were quite elaborate - involving costumes, skits, etc. Another time commitment.

 

[Amzey]

I would love to join one except I don't drink or drug or party too much.. I wish there was like a nerd sorority, hehe, I think it would be fun to bond with a bunch of girls and have little activities and stuff.

 

[JulesMom]

I was in Alpha Phi my fish year at Texas A&M. I really enjoyed it!

I got married the next year, so I wasn't in it anymore.

 

[Palmrc]

Sigma Alpha Mu

Epsilon Alpha Chapter

 

[ratsrule]

My 2 choices where

TKB= Tappa kega Bud

IFT= I felta thigh

 

[olena]

In college, I was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music fraternity for women. I was also in the Foreign Language Honor Society. A few years ago, I joined a social sorority named Sigma Beta. Our primary goal is charity and raising money for lesser funded charities. The link in my signature is to my chapter's web site.

 

[marlasmom]

Amzey - strange you should mention that. My older daughter pledged Chi Omega, but my younger daughter pledged a "service fraternity." I can't remember the name, but they will no doubt be on your campus. They do a lot of charitable works, were really nice people and had a lot of fun. You might want to look into one of those. It does give you instant friendship and a place to go.

 

[honeywolf7]

I wasn't personally thinking of joining one (because I am a non-traditional student)....I just noticed that our bulletin boards around school were covered with posters.